Reflector for art-galleries



No. 6I9,849. Patented Feb. 2l, |899.

' G. F. SPENCER.

REFLEGTOR FOR ART GALLERIES.

(Application led July 15, 1898.) (No Model.)

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No. 6|9,849. Patented Feb. 2|, |899. G. F. SPENCER. REFLECTUB FDR ABTGALLERIES.

(Application med my 1s, was.)

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(No Modal.)

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ATTOR EY NITED Y STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE F. SPENCER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

REFLECTOR FOR ART-GALLERIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,849, dated February21, 1899.

Application iiled July l5, 1898. Serial No. 685,988. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. SPENCER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Reiiecto rs forArt-Galleries, Show-IVindows, &c. and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and toletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspeciication. f

This invention has reference to improvements in reflectors, such as areused more particularly in art-galleries to illuminate the pictures or tolight up show-windows in stores to display the goods to their bestadvantage.

The present invention, therefore, which is in the nature of animprovement upon the construction of reflectors described and claimed informer Letters Patent of the United States numbered 581,093 and datedApril 20, 1897, has for its principal objects to provide a reilectorWhich may be used in connection with electric or other lights and whichis provided with a guard or shield to entirely conceal the direct lightfrom the observer.

A further object of this invention is to provide in connection with mynovel form of reflector an adjustable bracket and support which may beattached directly to the Wall or may be suspended from thepicture-molding or may be secured to the back of the frame of thepicture, such bracket and support permitting the adjustment of thereflector horizontally closer to or farther away from the picture andalso vertically in front of the pioture, the reflector itself having arotary n10- tion to enable the proper adjustment of the latter in frontof the picture after the adjustment of the bracket and support, andthereby producing the best lighting eect to illuminate the picture anddisplaying the same to its best advantage.

Other objects of this invention will be evident from the accompanyingspecification.

My invention therefore consists in the novel construction of re'liectorand adjusting mechanism to be used in connection therewith forilluminating pictures in art-galleries and for lighting show-windows,&c., all of which will be fully described in the accompanyingspeciication and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich- Figure 1 is a plan or top view of the adjustable reflector andbracket and support embodying the principles of my present invention,and Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a front view of thereflector, illustrating more particularly the arrangement of a guard orshield to conceal the direct light from the eyes of an observer. Fig. 4cis a front view of one form of adjustable bracket and support to be usedin connection with the reflector. Fig. 5 is a view, on an enlargedscale, of the inner portions of the reflector, illustrating certaindetails of the construction in vertical section. Fig. 6 is alongitudinal vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the adjustablebracket, illustrating also in connection therewith an arrangement ofelectriclight wires. Fig. 7 is a side view of a portion of thereflector-carrying bracket and its socket for adj ustably attaching thebracket against the back of the frame of a picture. Figs. 8 and 9 are afront and top edge view, respectively, of the socket which is used inconnection with the form of bracket represented in said Fig. 7.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the above-describedviews to indicate corresponding parts.

be seen from Fig. 5, are provided with openings a4, over which I havesecured in any wellknown manner suitably-ornamented caps c. In theperforated end of each cap is a setscrew c', on the threaded end ofwhich I have screwed a nipple c2, provided with a shoulder c3 and ascrew-threaded end c4. Each nipple c2 has one or more openings c5 forthe reception of electric-light wires d', which lead IOO through saidnipples to incandescent lamps (Z, said lamps heilig screwed directlyupon the screw-threaded ends c4 and against the shoulder ci, as clearlyindicated in said Fig. 5. The reflector can thus be provided at each endwith an incandescent electric light, as shown.

If desired, a bracket-bar b, having a screwnipple b', may be fastenedupon the inner surface of said arc-shaped portion d and provided with anincandescent light (Z2. The back or angularly-formed portion of thereflector has an opening a5, through which the wires CZ are passed to beconnected with the several lamps oZ and (Z2, as clearly illustrated insaid Fig. 5. Against the inner surface of each one of saidangularly-arranged portions a2 I have secured by means of prongs fcertain silver-plated glass or polished-metal plates f, which are forthe purpose of reflecting the light-rays inward and downward. Saidfastening devices for securing said plates in position and thearrangement and construction of said plates are preferably such as areset forth in said Letters Patent numbered 581,093 and hereinabovementioned. Connected directly with the lower edge a6 of the saidarcshaped portion a' is a downwardly-extending part a7, which forms aguard or shield, the same being connected with portions of the said sidepieces a3, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3, and itsarrangement being such that at all positions of the rotary adjustment ofthe reflector it will protect the eyes of the observer from the directlightrays of the lights within said reflector. The reflector is usuallyarranged in front of a picture by being suspended from a bracket,preferably of the construction illustrated in said Figs. l to G,inclusive. This form of bracket and support consists, essentially, of amain plate c, which is formed at or near the top with hooks c forarranging it over the usual picture-molding g, (see Fig. 2,) or it maybe provided with a perforation e2 for suspending it from a nail. As willbe seen from said Figs. l, 2, and G, said plate e is provided with apair of ornamental posts e3 and e4, which are' provided with perforatedears or lugs e5. Pivotally arranged on a pin e. in the ear or lug of thepost e3and embracing the ear or lug of said post are a pair of ears e8of a short arm e7, which is provided with a socket e9, open both at thetop and bottom. Suitably secured in the said socket e9 is the end 7L ofa tubular arm 7L. Pivotally arranged on a pin 'i' in the said lug or earc5 of the upper post c4, as will be seen from Fig. l, and embracing thesaid lug are a pair of ears Z2 of an ornamental joint or connection fi,the latter being attached to a rod or tube 113, which has a similarjoint or connection 4 at its opposite end. Said joint or connection t4is provided with a pairof perforatedlugs orears 5. Slidably arrangedupon an arm 7L and adapted to be secured in any fixed position on saidarm by means of a set-screw h2 is a sleeve h3. Said sleeve has anupwardly-projecting lug or ear 7L, which is provided with a hole and issecured by means of a pintle or pin h5 between the said ears Zi",hereinabove mentioned. It will thus be seen that the said arm 7L can beraised or lowered on these hingejoints connected with the plate e andcan bc held in its adjusted position by tightening up the screw h2 ofthe sleeve h3. Telescopically arranged within said arm 71. is anothertubular arm or rod h and a sleeve h7 and setscrew he for locking saidarms 7L and hf in their adjusted positions in relation with one another.Secured upon the free end h ofthe arm h6, by means of a set-screw 7o orin any other well-known manner, is aball k, which is provided with achamber k2, having a downwardly-extending opening 7c3 and a pair ofoppositely-arranged openings 7a4, in which I have secured in anywell-known manner the ends of certain rods Z. The opposite ends Z ofsaid rods Z, as will be seen from Fig. 5, are secured by means ot'set-screws Z3 in certain socketed port-ions Z4 of ornamental posts Z2,which. are secured by means ot' screws Z5 or otherwise upon the upperportion of the refiector-casing. It will be seen that while the arm 7Lis adjustable vertically and the arm h can be moved in or out in the armh to bring the reflector closer to or farther away from the picture saidreflector is also rotatably conneeted with said bracket support when thesaid set-screws Z are properly manipulated.

When the reflector is to be used with electric lights, the wires arepassed through the tubular arms 7L and h6, through the opening 7c3 inthe ball Zt, and through the hole or opening a5 in the reiiector-casingto be properly connected with the lights, as will be clearly understoodfrom an inspection of the several figures of the drawings.

In lieu of the form of bracket -support illustrated in said Figs. l to6, inclusive, I may secure against the back of the frame of the picturea socket rm, which is provided with several ring portions 'm' and,set-screws m2. Secured in said ring portions m', by means of saidset-screws m2, is a bracket-rod n, which is tubular and extends overlthe top of the frame of the picture, as indicated in Fig. 7. In thisrod I have slidably arranged the arm h, hereinabove mentioned, to whichthe reiiector A may be secured in the manner previously described. Ofcourse it will be evident that the refiector may be used with ordinarygas-jets or other lighting means, if desired.

I am fully aware that many changes may be made in the severalarrangements and combinations of the parts and in the details oftheconstruction thereof without departing from the scope of my presentinvention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the exact arrangementsand combinations of the several partsf as herein described, andillustrated in the drawings.

The essential feature of my invention is the IOO IIO

IIS

construction of a reiector for the purposes stated, which comprises anarc-shaped portion 0,', angularly-arranged straight portions d2, and adownwardly-extending shield or guard a7, all arranged in such relationto each other that the light-rays from a light connected with thereflector will have the rays which strike the parts a2 properlyreflected over the entire surface of the picture, while the guard orshield serves to cut off all direct rays to the eyes of the personviewing the picture.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. A reflector forart-galleries, store-windows, dac. consisting of an apron, comprising anarc-shaped portion having end portions, and arranged concentric with thecenter of the light connected with the reiiector, a reiecting-surfaceabove said arc-shaped portion, a downwardly-extending guard or shieldconnected with the lower part of said arcshaped portion, ornamental capsc connected with said end portions of said arc-shaped portion,perforated nipples in said caps, and electric lamps secured to saidnipples, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A reflector for art-galleries, store-windows, &c., consisting of anapron comprising an arc-shaped portion having end portions, and arrangedconcentric with the center of the light connected with the reector,areiiectingsurface above said arc-shaped portion, consisting, ofangularly-arranged straight portions ct2, to throw the reflected lightinward and downward, a downwardlyextending guard or shield connectedwith the lower part of said arc-shaped portion, ornamental caps cconnected with the end portions of said arcshaped portion, perforatednipples in said caps, and electric lamps secured to said nipples,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with a reflector, of a bracket, comprisingpivotally-connected sections capable of Vertical adjustment, and meansconnected with said reiiector and one of said sections, whereby saidreliector is rotatably connected with said section for adj ustment,consisting, essentially, of a ball at the end of said section, rods Zsecured in opposite openings in said ball, socketed posts Z2 on saidreiiector, and set-screws for securing the opposite ends of said rods Zin said socketed posts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with a reiiector, of a bracket comprising asuspension-plate e, an arm h pivotally connected with said plate,capable of vertical adjustment, and means connected with said reflectorand said arm, whereby said reiiector is rotatably connected foradjustment, consisting, essentially, of a ball connected with the end ofsaid arm 71 rods Zsecured in opposite openings in said ball, socketedposts Z2 on said reector, and set-screws for securing the opposite endsof said rods Z in the sockets of said posts Z2, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

5. In combination, a reflector for art-galleries, store-windows, dac.,consisting of an apron, comprising an arc-shaped portion having endportions, and arranged concentric with Ithe center of the lightconnected with the reflector, a reflecting-surface above said arc-shapedportion, a downwardly-extending guard or shield connected with the lowerpart of said arc-shaped portion, ornamental caps c connected with theend portions of said arcshaped portion, perforated nipples in said caps,electric lamps secured to said nipples, and a bracket, consisting,essentially, of a pair of tubular and adjustable arms, a socketed ball kconnected with one of said arms, means for attaching the reflector tosaid ball, and electric-light wires extending through said arms and ball7c and connected with the lamps in said reflector, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

6. In combination, a reflector for art-galleries, store-windows, &c.,consisting of an apron, comprising an arc-shaped portion having endportions, and arranged concentric with the center of the light connectedwith the reflector, a reflecting-surface above said arc-shaped portion,a downwardly-extending guard or shield connected with the lower part ofsaid arc-shaped portion, ornamental caps c connected with the endportions of` said arcshaped portion, perforated nipples in said caps,electric lamps secured to said nipples, and a bracket, consisting,essentially, of a pair of tubular and adjustable arms,a socketed ball 7cconnected with one of said arms, rods Zsecured to said ball 7c, socketedposts Z2 on said reflector, set-screws for rotatively securing theopposite ends of said rods Z in the sockets of said posts Z2, andelectric wires extending through said main bracket-arms and ball Zo andconnected with the lamps in the reector, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

7. In combination, a reflector for art-galleries, store-windows, dac.,consisting of an apron, comprising an arc-shaped portion having endportions, and arranged concentric with the center of the light connectedwith the reector, a reflecting-surface above said -arc-shaped portion, adownwardly-extending guard or shield connected with the lower part ofsaid arc-shaped portion, ornamental caps c connected with the endportions of said arcshaped portion, perforated nipples in said caps,electric lamps secured to said nipples, and a bracket, consisting,essentially, of a plate e, a tubular arm h and a pivotal connectionbetween said plate e and arm h, a socketed ball 7o connected with saidarm h, means for attaching thev reflector to said ball, andelectric-light wires extending through said arm h and ball Za, andconnected with the lamps in he reiector, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

8. In combination, a reiiector for art-gal- IOO leries, store-Windows,&c., consisting of an apron, comprising an arc-shaped portion having endportions, and arranged concentric with the center of the light connectedwith the reector, a reflecting-surface above said arc-shaped portion, adownwardly-extending guard or shield connected with the lower part ofsaid arc-shaped portion, ornamental caps c connected with the endportions of said arcshaped portion, perforated nipples in said caps,electric lamps secured to said nipples, and a bracket, consisting,essentially, of a plate e, a tubular arm h and a pivotal connectionbetween said plate e and arm h, a socketed ball k connected With saidarm 7L, rodsZ

